Madonna has been named Billboard's 2016 Woman of the Year and will receive her award at the 11th annual Women in Music event on December 9 in New York City.

The 'Living for Love' hitmaker will be handed the honour for her inspirational career and influence which reaches far beyond music.

Janice Min, president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, said: "Madonna is one of a miniscule number of super-artists whose influence and career transcend music. With her creative vision, relentless innovation, and dedication to philanthropic causes, she is an inspiration to hundreds of millions of people around the world, all while shattering every career record out there.

"She is an important feminist on top of that, a one-of-a-kind artist who's used her influence to change the conversation around women, sexuality and equal rights."

Whilst Liz Gateley, EVP and Head of Programing for Lifetime, added: "Madonna is an extraordinary artist, emblematic of the strength, courage and resilience that Lifetime celebrates, and we are thrilled to offer our platform to recognize her in every way she deserves. We're delighted to continue our partnership with Billboard and bring this powerful event directly to our viewers."

The 58-year-old singer - who has Lourdes, 20, Rocco, 16, David, 11, and Mercy, 10 - has had an amazing year so far, wowing crowds across the world with her Rebel Heart Tour. Madonna is also known for her charity work and her organisation Raising Malawi is currently busy building The Mercy James Institute of Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care facility in Malawi, which will be opened in 2017.

Madonna will be handed her award at the 11th annual Women in Music event on December 9 in New York City.

The ceremony will be broadcasted three days later, on December 12, and will go hand in hand with the release of Billboard's Women in Music list, which features the 50 most powerful female executives in the music industry.